Amtrak police officer Joe Zawacki demonstrates a search for explosives with a dog on an Amtrak train as part of a demonstration of new security sweeps at Union Station in Washington on Friday, Feb. 15,... (Associated Press)

(Newser)
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Amtrak is stepping up security, with random screening of carry-on bags and security teams packing machine guns and leading bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling platforms and trains, reports AP. The new system, beginning this week, echoes stricter security procedures at the nation's airports. Amtrak insists there should be no additional departure delays .

"We're very conscious commuters have minutes to go from train to train," said Amtrak's chief. There has been no specific threat against Amtrak but terrorists have targeted trains in London, Madrid and India. "There is no new or different specific threat, this is just the correct step to take," said the Amtrak official.